Pipe handling apparatus for pipe laying barges

ABSTRACT

Pipe handling apparatus for pipe laying barges, sometime called lay barges, wherein pipe is lifted from an incoming pipe conveyor to a transverse rack, from one rack position to another, and from the rack to the pipe line-up conveyors, by a series of pivotal lifting means which lift, move, and deposit the pipe without impact or shock, whereby the pipe and any concrete or other coating on the pipe is not damaged. In addition to the novel pipe transferring means, the invention presents a novel universally adjustable line-up conveyor apparatus.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 592,170, filed bythe same applicant on July 1, 1975 and bearing the same title, which isnow U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,007, issued Oct. 5, 1976.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional pipe handling apparatus of the type to which thisinvention pertains, the pipe is moved laterally of its length throughsome portions of the system by rolling the pipe down inclined supportsand by moving the pipe transversely by dragging it with powered lugchains. These methods for pipe transfer invariably result in impact andshock to the outer pipe surface, which in the case of coated pipe cancause serious damage to the pipe coating. This invention avoids suchpipe coating damage in the handling of the pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides pipe handling apparatus for pipe laying barges,sometimes referred to as lay barges. The pipe is conveyed to theapparatus which aligns the pipe for end-to-end welding on a rollerconveyor which moves the pipe longitudinally. The pipe is movedtransversely from the incoming pipe conveyor by hydraulically drivenpivotal lifters which lift the pipe from the incoming pipe conveyor anddeposit it upon a rack. The rack has plural lateral pipe positions, andother hydraulically powered lifters lift the pipe along the rack towardthe pipe alignment section of the apparatus, called the line-upconveyors or the line-up section. Incoming pipe conveyors and racks maybe provided at each side of the line-up conveyors. A third hydraulicallypowered lifter is employed to lift the pipe from racks at one or bothsides of the line-up conveyors onto the line-up conveyor. The line-upconveyors, two usually being employed, are universally positionablewhereby the pipe may be put into proper alignment for welding to aforward section of the pipeline very accurately, and with the pipecompletely supported on all of the line-up conveyor rollers at alltimes. The pipe is not rolled, dragged or dropped during thesetransfers.

A principal object of the invention is to provide pipe handlingapparatus for pipe laying barges in which the pipe is not rolled ordragged during pipe movement. A further object of the invention is toprovide such pipe handling apparatus wherein the pipe is lifted andtransported and deposited by hydraulically powered lifting means. Afurther object of the invention is to provide such pipe handlingapparatus which may accommodate different sizes of pipe. Still anotherobject of the invention is to provide such pipe handling apparatuswherein the pipe may be moved transversely along the rack supports insingle or plural steps. Yet another object of the invention is toprovide a line-up conveyor which is universally positionable. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide tandem or multiple line-upconveyors which may be operated in unison.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments, reference beingmade to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus.

FIG. 2 is a partial end elevation of the apparatus showing a lifter usedfor lifting pipe from the incomingpipe conveyor to the rack.

FIG. 3 is a partial elevation showing the rack apparatus and the lifteremployed to advance pipe along the rack.

FIG. 4 is a partial elevation showing a lifter used for lifting pipefrom the rack apparatus to the line-up conveyor.

FIGS. 5-7 are respectively a plan view, a side elevation, and an endelevation of the line-up conveyor.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively a plan view and a side elevation of amodified form of rack apparatus according to the invention.

FIGS. 10-12 are respectively a plan view, a side elevation and an endelevation of a modified form of line-up conveyor according to theinvention.

FIGS. 13-14 are, respectively, schematic side and end elevationsillustrating a modified form of pipe rack apparatus afforded by theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Describing the preferred embodiment of apparatus according to theinvention which is shown in the drawings, and referring first to FIG. 1of the drawings, the incoming lengths or sections of pipe are brought infrom the stock of pipe aboard the barge by series roller conveyors 10,11, the pipe travel being stopped as a section of the pipe becomes fullydisposed upon conveyor 11. The conveyors 10, 11 which will usually bethe last two of a string of such conveyors each have plural pairs ofangular rollers 12, 13, the pipe being nested in the angle between therollers. Spaced pairs of powered rollers 16 are provided as shown formoving the pipe along the angular rollers, which are idle rollers andare not powered. The rollers are coated with a material which will notmar the pipe surfaces.

Each successive pipe section is moved from conveyor 11 by lifters 18, 19onto racks 21-24, the pipe sections spanning all of the racks asindicated by pipe 40. Lifter 18 is disposed between racks 21, 22 andlifter 19 is disposed between racks 23, 24, each pair of racks forming arack assembly carried on a base 25. Lifters 27, 28 are disposedparallely adjacent racks 21, 22, and lifters 29, 30 are disposedparallely adjacent racks 23, 24, as shown. Each rack has a plurality ofshallow V-shaped pipe rests 33-37, to any of which a pipe section may bemoved. Lifters 27-30, lift the pipe along the racks from one pipe restto a subsequent pipe rest adjacent to or spaced from the original pipeposition.

A length or section of pipe 40 is shown on rests 37 of the racks inFIG. 1. The pipe is covered by a layer or coating 41 of concrete orother material. Pipe for underwater use is most commonly coated withconcrete having wire imbedded therein for reinforcing, the pipe endsbeing exposed as indicated in FIG. 1. The exposed ends are provided inorder that the pipe lengths may be welded together end- to-end. Theexposed pipe surface at the welded joints is covered by a mastic sealingmaterial, commonly a mixture of asphalt and sand, or the like.

Lifters 46, 47, having shallow V-shaped pipe rests 48, 49 at their endsare used for lifting the pipe from the racks 27-30 to the line-upconveyors 51, 52. The line-up conveyors serve to line up the pipe forwelding to the end of the pipe line and to support the pipe duringwelding.

In FIG. 1, pipe section 54 has already been welded at its lefthand endto the end of the pipeline to be laid underwater, and pipe 55 issupported upon the line-up conveyors 51, 52 in aligned abutment withpipe section 54. The abutment between pipe sections 54, 55 is located atthe line-up station 56. At this station, the pipes are lined up in flushaligned abutment and are welded together to join the last pipe sectionto the end of the pipeline. Roller conveyor 58 is the first of a seriesof conveyors that take the welded-together pipes to different stationsdown the line for further treatment. Roller conveyor 58 is provided withplural rollers 59 which are idler rollers supporting the pipe in itstravel and is also provided with terminal powered rollers 60, 61 toprovide longitudinal movement of the pipe.

As shown in FIG. 1, there may also be provided a second set of racks21a-24a which are provided with pipe lifters 27a-30a and the remainderof the assembly shown at the top portion of FIG. I for conveying pipe tothe apparatus and for lifting the same onto the rack assemblies. Thelifters 46, 47 are adapted to lift pipe from the racks at both sides fordisposition upon the line-up station.

Referring now also to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the conveyor 11 has roller12, 13 and supports a pipe 40 which is coated with a layer of concrete41. Conveyor 11 is made up of a plurality of longitudinally spacedstands 65 each of which supports a pair of rollers 12, 13. The standsare aligned along longitudinal connection elements 62. Inner and outerbracket formations 66, 67 each support bearing units 68 in which theroller shafts 69 are journaled, at each side of the conveyor. Theconveyor 11 as such does not form part of the invention and all detailsthereof are not shown and described. Any suitable conveyor for bringingthe pipes one by one to the end of racks 21-24 may be used.

The racks 21-24, only rack 22 being shown and the others beingidentical, may be of any suitable structure all details of which are notshown in FIG. 2. The racks may be made of a vertical steel plate havingshallow V-shaped notches along its upper edge to form the pipe rests33-35. The notches are lined with at least somewhat elastomericnonabrasive strips 71 to cushion the coated pipes placed thereon.

Hydraulic cylinders 73, 74 are pivotally connected at their lower endsto the base of rack 22. Arm 75 is pivotally connected to the base ofrack 22 at 76, the upper end of arm 75 being pivotally connected to liftarm 80 at 81. The lift arm has a pipe rest 83 lined with pads 84, 85.The upper end of hydraulic cylinder 73 is pivotally connected to thepipe rest formation 83 just below and to the left of its center, atpivot pin 87. The upper end of hydraulic cylinder 74 is pivotallyconnected at pin 88 to downwardly extending bracket formation 90 of liftarm 80. Hydraulic cylinder 74 is equipped with a longitudinal stabilizer92 which is pivotally connected with the hydraulic cylinder at its lowerend and has upper slot 93 along which pivot pin 88 slides when thecylinder is extended and retracted. The stabilizer 92 maintains cylinder74 in straight longitudinal condition, especially when the cylinder isfully extended. Cylinders 73 and 74, acting together, control themovements of lift arm 80. Extension of cylinder 74 when cylinder 73 isretracted causes movement of arm 75 pivotally toward the right as shownby dashed line positions 74a, 75a, 80a in FIG. 2, and moves the rest 83from a leftward toward a more rightward position. By actuation ofcylinders 73, 74 the rest 83 may be moved to position 83a beneath pipe40 on conveyor 11 and may then lift the pipe through positions 40a and40b to a position 40c in which the pipe is supported upon rests 33 ofracks 21-24. The rest 83 may then be moved downwardly to position 83band then through positions 83 and 83a to pick up another pipe fromconveyor 11.

It will be noted that pipe 40 is not rolled, dragged or dropped duringthis conveying movement of the lifter. The pipe is relatively gentlycontacted by the lifter at its underside while on conveyor 11 and isthen lifted smoothly and cleanly through the air to be placed upon rests33 of racks 21-24. In this manner, the concrete coating 41 (or othercoating on the pipe) is not broken or disrupted and remains in usuablecondition.

In FIG. 3 of the drawings the rack 22 is shown, together with lifter 28which is used to move pipe sections along rack 22 from one pipe positionto another, that is, from one pipe rest to another. It should be notedthat lift conveyor 18 is not shown in FIG. 3 while lift 28 conveyor isnot shown in FIG. 2, in order to avoid confusing overlapping of parts inthe drawings.

Lifter or conveyor 28 is in the form of a longitudinal horizontal rack101 having plural shallow V-shaped pipe seats or rests 96-99 cushionedor padded by pads 71. Rack 101 has downwardly projecting portions 103,104 for connection of hydraulic cylinder elements 106, 110 thereto.Hydraulic cylinder 106 is pivotally connected to the base of rack 22 atpivot pin 107, and its upper end is pivotally connected by pin 108 tothe left hand portion of rack portion 103. Cylinder 106 is provided witha longitudinal stabilizer 92, as heretofore described in connection withFIG. 2. Hydraulic cylinder 110 is pivotally connected to the base ofrack 22 at pin 111 and is pivotally connected at its upper end by pin112 to rack portion 104. Hydraulic cylinder 110 is also provided with alongitudinal stabilizer 92. Transverse hydraulic cylinder 114 isconnected by pin 115 to the upper end of a support standard 116. Theopposite end of cylinder 114 is pivotally connected at pin 118 to thelower right hand portion of rack portion 103. Cylinder 114 moves rack101 and cylinders 106 and 110 through right and left pivotal motions.

Cylinders 106, 110 cause elevation or lowering of rack 101. Thereforerack 101 and rests 96-99 may be moved to engage and move any pipe atrest upon rack 22. Through the use of this lifter, a pipe 40 may bemoved from rest 33 to rest 34 or to rest 35, and from any of thesepositions the pipe may be moved further along the rack to positions 36and 37. Plural pipes 40 may be moved simultaneously by lifter 28. Forexample, a pipe 40 is rest 33 and another pipe 40 in rest 35 may bemoved simultaneously to rests 34 and 36 or to rests 35 and 37. It shouldbe noted that with large diameter pipes, the pipe will overhang anadjacent rest space, so that pipes may be placed on the rack only atrest positions having an empty rest position therebetween.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings, the right hand end of rack 22 is shown andthe left hand end of opposite rack 22 is shown. It will be understoodthat racks 21-24 and racks 21a-24a function together over the length ofthe pipes placed thereon. Plate 122 has shallow V-shaped pipe rests 48and 49 at its opposite ends. The complete lifter consists of two plates122, parallely spaced, which are joined by a curved connection plate124, shown in FIG. 1. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 126, 127 areprovided at each side of the apparatus, for each plate 122. The lowerends of hydraulic cylinders 126, 127 are pivotally connected at pins128, 129 respectively, to a base 133. The upper shaft ends of cylinders126, 127 are each connected to one of the two plates 122 by pins 135,136, respectively. These are connected to the plates 122 slightly inwardof the lower corners thereof. Each cylinder 126, 127 is equipped with alongitudinal stabilizer 92.

A hydraulic cylinder 138 is pivotally connected at its shaft end to theunderside of curved cross plate 124 by pin 139. The opposite end ofcylinder 138 is connected to a support 140 (see FIG. 1). The hydrauliccylinders 126, 127, acting together, raise and lower the plates 122. Thehydraulic cylinder 138 moves the lifter unit horizonally to and fro.

Because of the relatively long span of horizonal movement and theresultant tilt of the plates 122, the rests 48 and 49 are augmented bythickened pads 142 at their inner sides. These prevent the pipe fromrolling off inwardly of the rests when the lifting assembly is in anangular position.

In the solid line positions of plates 122 as shown in FIG. 4, the righthand rest 49 is in a position to lift a pipe 40 from rest 37 of rack22a. Cylinder 138 is extended to move rest 49 to this extreme right handposition. Next, cylinders 126, 127 are extended to lift the pipe, andcylinder 138 is then retracted to bring the pipe to a position overrollers 151, 152 of line-up conveyor 51.

Certain elements at the near end of line-up conveyor 51 are omitted fromFIG. 4 in order to avoid confusion in the drawing.

The pipe 40 on rest 37 of rack 22 may similarly be lifted to be moved tothe line-up conveyor. In this case, the opposite rest 48 is used to pickup the pipe from rest 37, the cylinders 126, 127 and 138 beingappropriately extended or retracted for the movement of the pipe to theline-up conveyor. Various positions to which the hydraulic cylinders andplates 122 may be moved are indicated by reference numerals havingalphabetical surfixes.

The line-up conveyor 51, FIGS. 5-7, is mounted upon a base 154, which isalso shown behind base 133 in FIG. 4. The apparatus has a frame orcarriage 160 which is formed by end walls 162 at each end each having atits ends upstanding portions 163, 164 and being of box formation at itsremaining parts. The frame has two vertical openings 163, 164therethrough. Four corner brackets 166-169 are welded to the upstandingend portions 163, 164 of the frame ends and the upper shaft ends ofhydraulic cylinders 171-174 are pivotally connected thereto by identicalconnection pins 175. The lower ends of cylinders 171-174 are pivotallyconnected by pins 177 to brackets 178 at the four corners of base 154.The pins 175 and 177 are parallel, so that the frame 160 may be movedtransversely of the length of a pipe supported by the line-up conveyor.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 6 of the drawings, a stabilizer bar180 is provided which extends from support bracket 181 on base 154 tobracket 182 at the underside of frame 160. The stabilizer 180 permits upand down movements of the frame, but restrains the frame from movementsin endwise directions longitudinally of the pipe carried by the line-upconveyor. The up and down movements of the frame corners are of coursecontrolled by the cylinders 171-174, previously described. With thisarrangement, the frame may be placed in a tilted position in anydirection of tilt.

A support bracket 186 affixed to base 154 has hydraulic cylinder 187pivotally connected thereto, the other end of hydraulic cylinder 187being pivotally connected to bracket 188 depending downwardly from thecenter of the underside of frame 160. There is a bracket 186, cylinder187, and bracket 188 at each end of the carriage 160. Action of thesetwo hydraulic cylinders 187 may be used to orient the housing in thedirection of the pipe.

As should by now be understood, the carriage or frame 160 is universallypositionable as to tilt in any direction and as to elevation above base154. There are of course two or more line-up conveyors 51 provided inthe system, and the two or more of such conveyors may be controlled toact in concert to support and adjust the position of a length of pipe.With proper controls, each carriage may be kept constantly aligned withthe length of pipe so the all of its rollers will be in substantialcontact with the pipe.

Along each side of carriage 160 there are three upstanding bearingsupports 191 which are angled inwardly at their upper portions 192. Abearing assembly 193 is mounted at the top of each support 191. Threebearing supports 194 are provided along each side of central frameportion 195. Each of these has a bearing assembly 193 mounted at itsupper end. The supports 194 are angled to be parallel with upperportions 192 of supports 191. The rollers 151, 152 are rotatably mountedbetween each inner and outer pair of bearings 193. A support 200 affixedangularly to the outer sides of two of the supports 191 carries ahydraulic motor 201 which drives the end roller through gear box 203.Any or all of rollers 151, 152 may be driven as desired. One of thehydraulic motor 201 and gear box 203 assemblies is omitted from FIG. 5,both being shown in FIG. 7, these being in mirror image arrangement oneto the other.

At each end of the housing 160 there are two outwardly and downwardlyextending brackets 208, equally spaced from the center of the end of theframe. To the outer end of each of these is connected pivotally anupright hydraulic cylinder 210. The two hydraulic cylinders 210 at eachend of the frame are each pivotally connected at their upper ends to aplatform 212. Each platform 212 has a lower central portion 213connected to the more elevated portions 214, 215 by the angular plates216, 217. Plates 216, 217 have rectangular cut outs 219 providing spacefor rotation of rollers 221. The rollers 221 are rotatably supported bythe bearing assemblies 222, 223. A bracket 225 is provided to supporteach of the hydraulic motors 227 which drive the rollers 221. Therollers 221 are provided in order to rotate a pipe supported on theconveyor. The hydraulic cylinders 210 are extended to elevate theplatforms 212, thereby bringing the rollers 221 which are normally belowthe level of pipe into contact with the pipe so that it may be rotated.All of the hydraulic cylinders 210 are activated at the same time forthis purpose, but may be if desired elevated to different degreesdepending on the exact position of the pipe on rollers 151, 152. Theplatforms 212 are lowered again to bring rollers 221 out of contact withthe pipe after the pipe has been rotated to the desired position.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings, there is shown amodified form of rack apparatus for use with the invention. A base 230has secured thereto a plurality of vertically extending supports 231,232 across the upper ends of which is supported a rack beam 233. Rackbeam 233 has a series of equally spaced notches 234 along its upperedge, each notch 234 having a pair of pipe pads 235 secured thereto, oneat each angular side of each notch. The notches are spaced far enoughapart that pipes may be placed in adjacent notches. At least two of thedescribed asemblies are provided, in spaced parallel relation, and thepipes 40 are supported across the pair of rack assemblies.

A pipe lifter beam 237 is supported by a plurality of hydrauliccylinders 238. Each hydraulic cylinder 238 is secured at its lower endto a bracket mounted on base 230 and its upper end is secured to thepipe lifter beam 237 as shown. Two pairs of guide plates 240 eachsupported by a pair of posts 241 secured to base 230 are provided ateach side of pipe lifter beam 237 to maintain it parallel to beam 233. Apair of hydraulic cylinders 243 each has one end secured to a bracket244 mounted on base 230 and its other end connected to a downwardlydepending bracket 246 carried by pipe lifter beam 237. Beam 237 hasequally spaced notches 244 having pads 245, for support of a pipe ateach notch.

Extension of hydraulic cylinders 238 elevates pipe lifter beam 237 sothat its pipe engaging pads 245 come into contact with the pipessupported by the rack beam. When pads 245 have engaged the lower sidesof the pipes, no further extension of hydraulic cylinders 238 isnecessary. The pipes are moved by extending hydraulic cylinders 243 tomove the pipes arcuately from one notch 234 to the next adjacent notch234. Cylinders 238 do not lift the pipes by hydraulic actuation ofcylinders 138, but instead the pipes are moved by arcuate movement ofthe hydraulic cylinders 238 about their connections to bars 230 so thatminimal energy is consumed in moving the pipes along the rack. Duringpipe movements, the hydraulic cylinders 238 act as pivotal stifflegs,while the pipe lifter beam 237 is moved arcuately by pivotal movementsof the stifflegs by the two hydraulic cylinders 243. This form of rackassembly has an advantage over that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, since itrequires much less power for its operation.

Two spin rollers 247, 248 driven by hydraulic motors 249, 250,respectively, are mounted on a base 250 adjacent the terminal notch 235of rack beam 233. These rollers are normally disposed below a pipe 40supported at the terminal notch 235, but may be raised by extension ofhydraulic cylinders 254, 255 to engage and lift the pipe, followingwhich the pipe may be rotated by operation of motors 249, 250 to changethe rotational position of the pipe. After the pipe has been properlyrotated, cylinders 254, 255 are retracted to lower the pipe into notch235.

In FIGS. 10-12 there is shown a modified form of line-up conveyor. Theline-up conveyor shown in FIGS. 10-12 may be employed to replace two ormore of the line-up conveyors of the form shown in FIGS. 5-7. A pair ofangularly disposed slat conveyors 261, 262 are carried by a pair offrames 263, 264 supported by two pairs of hydraulic cylinders 265. Abase 267 supports a pair of channels 268 disposed crosswise of the base,and the lower ends of hydraulic cylinders 265 are connected to thechannels by pins as shown. The channels are reinforced by verticalplates 268a, 268b. The upper ends of hydraulic cylinders 265 areconnected to bracket formations 269, one at each end of each frame 263,264. The slat conveyors are driven by reversible hydraulic motors 271,272 when it is desired to move a pipe 40 mounted on the slat conveyorslongutidinally in either direction.

A pair of longitudinal beams 274, 275 are connected to the lower sidesof frames 263, 264, and extend beyond frame 264 to the opposite end ofthe apparatus. Plural spaced frame elements 277 maintain the beams 274,275 in parallel relation.

A bar 279 is pivotally connected at one end to bracket 280 support onbase 267. The other end of bar 279 is connected to bracket 281 carriedbeneath one of the brace elements 277, as shown. Bar 279 restrains theframe formed by beams 274, 275 and the cross brace elements 277 againstlongitudinal movements, but permits it to be raised and lowered.

Two pairs of oppositely disposed and oppositely inclined idler rollers285, 286 are supported by angular supports 287 mounted across beams 274,275. The rollers 285, 286 are journaled in bearings 289 disposed at theinner and outer ends of each roller. Two hydraulic cylinders 291, one ateach side of the apparatus, are pivotally connected to a cross channel292 supported by base 267 at their lower ends, and are pivotallyconnected to brackets 294 at their upper ends, brackets 294 beingsecured to the outer edge of a plate 295 disposed across the supports287 at each side of the apparatus. Operation of hydraulic cylinders 291elevates or lowers the rollers 285 or 286. A second roller assembly isdisposed across beams 274, 275 spaced from the first described assembly.This assembly is exactly the same as that described at the right handend of FIGS. 10-11, and is referred to by the same reference numerals,each reference numeral bearing the suffix "a".

A plate 297 across beams 274, 275 supports a pair of rollers 298, 299.Each of these rollers is supported by a bracket 300 supported by ahydraulic cylinder 301 supported by plate 297. Rollers 298, 299 areidler rollers which may be elevated to support the pipe when it is to berolled to adjust its rotational position. A plate 302 disposed acrossbeams 274, 275 similarly supports a pair of rollers 303, 304. Rollers303, 304 are powered spin rollers which may be operated to causerotation of the pipe when it is desired to adjust its rotationalposition. A pair of reversible hydraulic motors 305, 306 each supportedby a support 307 cause rotation of rollers 303, 304 to spin roll thepipe in either rotational direction. The idler rollers 298, 299 may besimilarly driven if desired or required. When it is desired to adjustthe rotational position of a pipe, all of the rollers 298, 299, and 303,304 are elevated to lift the pipe from the slat conveyors 261, 262 andthe idler rollers 285, 286, 285a, 286a, and after the rotationalposition of the pipe has been adjusted, the rollers 298, 299 and 303,304 are lowered to replace the pipe upon slat conveyors 261, 262 andidler rollers 285, 286, 285a and 286a.

A transverse hydraulic cylinder 310 is supported at one end of theapparatus by bracket 311 carried by base 267 and is pivotally connectedat its other end to bracket 312 mounted at the underside of frame 263.Extension and retraction of cylinder 310 causes transverse movements offrame 263 and of that end of beams 274, 275. An additional cylinder 310ais mounted in the identical manner at the opposite end of the beams 274,275.

The beams 274, 275 keep all of the rollers 285, 286, 285a, 286a and theslat conveyors 261, 262 in alignment, so that all of these constantlysupport a pipe resting thereon. Elevation of the pipe may be adjusted byoperation of cylinder 265 and 291. The angular position of the pipe maybe adjusted by operation of the cylinders 291, 291a and 268. Transversepipe position is adjusted by operation of cylinders 310, 310a. Theapparatus of FIGS. 10-12, therefore, may be substituted for the two ormore line-up conveyors of the form shown in FIGS. 5-7, previouslydescribed. Control of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 10-12 is somewhatsimpler than control of the apparatus of FIGS. 5-7, since no requirementis present for maintenance of the spaced rollers in mutual alignment.

In FIGS. 13-14, a form of pipe rack apparatus is indicated which isuseful particularly when a pipeline is laid in very deep water. Pipelengths are successively handled by the apparatus herein described andwelded one by one or in plural length joints to the pipeline extendingfrom the pipe laying barge into the water and to the floor of the bodyof water. The pipeline usually leaves the barge in a generallyhorizontal direction, and bends downwardly into the water, beingsupported for a distance from the barge. The tension of the pipelineextending from the barge is controlled by pipe tensioning apparatusaboard the barge. When the water is very deep, the pipeline leaving thebarge must bend substantially 90° downwardly, since the weight of therelatively long length of pipeline reaching from the barge to the waterfloor is large, and the pipeline assumes a straight downward path towardthe water floor. The pipeline makes another substantially 90° bend toits final position horizontally disposed upon the water floor.

The pipe tensioning apparatus aboard the barge maintains a more or lessconstant tension on the downwardly extending pipe, and this enablescontrol of the lower 90° bend of the pipeline at the water floor. Thepipe tensioner, however, cannot control the upper 90° bend of thepipeline adjacent the water surface, and the tension imposed by the pipetensioning apparatus is exerted through the upper 90° bend, whichresults in large bending forces being imposed on the pipeline at theupper 90° bend. The situation is improved if the pipeline can be made toleave the barge at a downward angle from horizontal. Ideally, allbending strain on the pipeline could be eliminated if the pipeline wereto leave the barge in a straight downward direction, and the larger thedownward angle of the pipeline from horizontal the less bending strainon the pipeline for any given type of equipment.

The form of rack apparatus indicated in FIGS. 13-14 affords asubstantial downward angle for the lengths of pipe used in fabricatingthe pipeline. The line-up conveyor and subsequent stations of thepipeline assembly line, including the tensioning apparatus, will bedisposed at the same downward angle as the rack apparatus, on adownwardly sloped deck or other support provided on the barge. Theconveyors 10 and 11 will still be disposed horizontally.

In FIGS. 13-14, the pipe rack 315 has plural pipe support notches316-320, disposed at the same level. The pipe rack 322 has plural pipesupport notches 323-327 at successively higher levels. The pipe 40 isplaced on notch supports 316 and 323 in horizontal position by lifters18-19 (see FIGS. 1-2). The pipe is advanced from notch supports 316 and323 to final notch supports 320 and 327 by lifter conveyors 28a, 28b,the latter being angularly disposed parallel with rack 322. In this way,the pipe is inclined in steps from horizontal position 40 to angularposition 40n, one intermediate angular position 40m being illustrated.The pipes are successively delivered from position 40n to the line-upconveyor, disposed at the same angle, as hereinabove described. Angularpipe dispositions up to 11° from horizontal have been achieved, and itis believed that angular pipe dispositions of at least 20° fromhorizontal may be used according to the precepts of this embodiment ofthe invention.

As stated earlier, the entire system shown in FIGS. 1-12 may be disposedon angularly disposed supports, to achieve the angular pipe disposition,without use of the FIG. 13-14 rack apparatus.

While preferred embodiments of the invention has been described andshown in the drawings, many modifications thereof may be made by aperson skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and it is intended to protect by Letters Patent all forms ofthe invention falling within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. Pipe rack apparatus, comprising, in combination, a pipe rackhaving plural upwardly facing pipe seat means therealong; pipe lifterconveyor means comprising a pipe lift beam disposed adjacent said piperack and parallel thereto having plural upwardly facing pipe seat meanstherealong and having pivotal connection means adjacent each endthereof, plural downwardly disposed first drive cylinder means pivotallyconnected to said pivotal connection means of said lift beam at theirupper ends and each pivotally supported at a fixed location at its lowerend for moving said lift beam vertically with respect to said pipe rack,and a generally horizontally disposed second drive cylinder meanspivotally connected generally parallely to said pipe lift beam at one ofits ends and pivotally supported at a fixed location at its other endfor moving said lift beam horizontally with respect to said pipe rack,and lift beam being movable vertically by said first drive cylindermeans and horizontally by said second drive cylinder means with respectto said pipe rack whereby said lift beam may move a pipe from one pipeseat means of said pipe rack to any of plural adjacent pipe seat meansof said pipe rack in either direction from said one pipe seat means. 2.The combination of claim 1, includng plural said pipe rack apparatusesdisposed parallely and spacedly side by side.
 3. The combination ofclaim 1, each of said first and second drive cylinder means comprisinghydraulic cylinder means.
 4. The combination of claim 1, each of saidfirst drive cylinder means having slot means in line with its upper endto stabilize the drive cylinder shaft upon extension thereof, each saidpivotal connection means of said lift beam being slidably disposed in asaid slot means to limit vertical movements thereof.
 5. The combinationof claim 4, each of said first and second drive cylinder meanscomprising hydraulic cylinder means.
 6. The combination of claim 4,including plural said pipe rack apparatuses disposed parallely andspacedly side by side.
 7. The combination of claim 1, including a pairof said pipe rack apparatuses disposed side by side, said pipe rack andsaid lift beam of one of said apparatuses being disposed horizontally,said pipe rack and said lift beam of the other of said apparatuses beingequally horizontally spaced from said one of said apparatuses along itslength and being inclined upwardly from the elevation of said one ofsaid apparatuses at one end to a higher elevation at the other end. 8.The combination of claim 7, each of said first and second drive cylindermeans comprising hydraulic cylinder means.